Universal Joint Surgical Tool for Precise High-RPM Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current universal joint assemblies in surgical tools face challenges in accessing difficult areas, such as the hip joint, due to limited angular adjustment capabilities and difficulty in maintaining precise positioning during high-RPM operations, which can lead to inaccurate pilot hole placement and screw insertion in hip replacement surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A universal joint assembly featuring a ball and socket configuration with an elongated opening and a pin, allowing rotation about two perpendicular axes, coupled with a drive shaft and an elastic mechanism to maintain position, enabling the surgical tool to adjust angles and maintain precision during high-RPM operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universal joint assembly uses a traditional ball and socket configuration, then the structure is simple, but the angular adjustment capability is limited and positioning precision deteriorates during high-RPM operations
Solution Approach 1:
The universal joint assembly incorporates a dynamic positioning mechanism that actively maintains precise angular relationships during high-RPM operations. The system transitions from a static ball-and-socket configuration to a dynamic system with controlled degrees of freedom, allowing angular adjustment while maintaining positioning precision through active stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: an adjustable angle mechanism for angular adaptation, a positioning control system for precision maintenance, and a drive shaft coupling. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while working together to resolve the contradiction between adaptability and precision.
2Productivity
If the surgical tool is designed for high-RPM operations, then productivity increases, but positioning stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs parameter changes in the joint configuration and elastic mechanism properties to maintain positioning stability across varying RPM conditions. By adjusting the stiffness and damping characteristics of the elastic mechanism, the system optimizes stability at different operational speeds, allowing high-RPM productivity without sacrificing positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal joint assembly incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor positional deviations during high-RPM operations and actively compensate for instability. The elastic mechanism provides passive feedback through its restoring forces, while the adjustable angle mechanism allows active feedback control to maintain positioning stability at high speeds.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ball opening width is increased to allow pin movement, then angular adjustability improves, but structural rigidity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The ball component exhibits local quality variations with different opening dimensions optimized for specific functions. The opening width and shape are locally tailored to provide sufficient pin movement for angular adjustment while maintaining overall structural rigidity through strategically placed reinforcement features and optimized material distribution in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal joint assembly utilizes composite material structures, particularly in the ball and socket components, to achieve both angular adjustability and structural rigidity. The composite construction allows for optimized stress distribution, enabling larger opening dimensions for adjustability while maintaining the strength and rigidity required for high-RPM surgical operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The assembly allows for precise angular adjustment and stable operation at high RPMs, facilitating accurate pilot hole drilling and screw placement in complex anatomical areas, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of surgical procedures like hip replacement surgery.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic mechanism biased to exert a force on the ball in at least one direction
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical tool including a socket having a housing and an aperture within the housing, the socket configured to receive a ball and a pin at least partially in the aperture. The ball is positioned at least partially in the socket and configured to rotate within the socket, the ball comprising an elongated opening extending through the ball. The pin is coupled to the socket and disposed at least partially in the socket on opposite sides of the socket, the pin including a first longitudinal axis and extending through the elongated opening of the ball between opposite sides of the socket. The ball is configured to partially rotate about the first longitudinal axis of the pin, and partially rotate, about a second axis perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis of the pin, in a plane aligned with the elongated opening.